This repository contains reference code to subscribe to a MQTT broker and parse data from DroneScout receivers (such as ds230, ds240 or DroneScout SDK). These receivers can be purchased at https://dronescout.co/ The manual can be found here: manual
DroneScout receivers detect broadcast/direct drone Remote ID signals (Bluetooth, WLAN); a "wireless number plate" technology that is or becomes mandatory in several parts of the world e.g. USA, EU, Japan. It supports all frequency bands (2.4 and 5 GHz) and transmission protocols (WLAN Beacon, WLAN NaN, Bluetooth 4 Legacy, Bluetooth 5 Long Range.)
#RemoteID #FAA #F3411 #dronetechnology #DIN_EN_4709-002
The code is Python3 code. It needs these dependencies (tested under Ubuntu):
sudo pip3 install paho-mqtt bitstruct pytz
DroneScout receivers output data using MQTT. MQTT is a sensor protocol that consists of publishers, subscribers and a broker. DroneScout receivers are a MQTT publisher. You need a MQTT broker where the sensors output their sensor data. This script is a MQTT subscriber.
In the config.py file, enter the correct settings for the broker, port. Leave the topic to "#" to recieve messages from all topics. Also add an username and password if your MQTT broker needs it.
It is also strongly advised to use secure SSL connection to the MQTT broker (port 8883). For that also set the client_pem file. In case of non-SSL connections, use the port 1883.
If you want to log the detected Remote ID signals to a CSV file, please uncomment the log_path variable.
To disable printing of RemoteID message on the console uncomment print_messages variable and set it to False
The subscriber also allows exporting the detections via SBS BaseStation. See section SBS BaseStation.
Besides broadcast/direct drone Remote ID signals, DroneScout receivers can receive other signals as well. This is introduced in firmware 20240927-1205 (and higher). For instance, an ADS-B 1090 MHz receiver can be added to the receiver. ADS-B transponder are used by most civil airplanes. ADS-B signals include the live location, flight ID and other information. Additonally in the USA (and some other countries), UAT at 978 MHz is used as well. This is a similar technology as ADS-B, but intended for smaller aircraft that fly at a lower alitude. Also DroneScout receivers can be equipped with an UAT 978 MHz receiver. Finally an LTE add-on (modem) can be integrated into the DroneScout receiver. This modem can be used for connectivity, but it can also be used as GNSS (GPS) receiver, so the sensor can tell where it is located. It can also publish mobile network statistics. More information at https://dronescout.co/.
Start the script to receive and show Remote ID signals of nearby drones.
python3 mqtt_sub.py
The subscriber code can output data via SBS BaseStation on a net socket. To enable this, uncomment the variables sbs_server_ip_address and sbs_server_port in config.py. Normally you only need to change the port. The IP address needs to be an IP address of the computer where this script runs. Only change it, if you want to have the SBS BaseStation export available on a particular network interface.
This export data format is used by programs that display ADS-B data from airplanes. Examples of such programs that support this data format are: Virtual Radar Server and FlightAirMap. A typical use case is, if you want to view both ADS-B data from airplanes and RemoteID signals from drones in one application. To configure a SBS BaseStation receiver in Virtual Radar Server, see this link
Note: for exporting data, the normal Serial Number of RemoteID is too long. It is decided in this implementation to use an ICAO code starting with FF. This range is not assigned to a country. The remaining 4-digits in the ICAO code are based on the Serial Number of the drone (hash). In this way, each drone has its own unique ICAO code. The 8-character call sign is based on the first 4 digits of the Serial Number (manufacturer code) and the last 4 digits.
